SECTION 1.  Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, a special commission is hereby established for the purposes of studying the levels and effects of cytotoxic drugs in the environment. The commission shall consist of: 4 members of the senate, 1 of whom shall be the president of the senate or a designee who shall serve as co-chair , 1 of whom shall be the minority leader of the senate or a designee, 1 of whom shall be the chair of the joint committee on public health or a designee and 1 of whom shall be the chair of the joint committee on environment, natural resources  and agriculture ; 4 members of the house of representatives, 1 of whom shall be the speaker or a designee who shall serve as co-chair, 1 of whom shall be the minority leader of the house of representatives or a designee, 1 of whom shall be the chair of the joint committee on public health, 1 of whom shall be the chair of the joint committee on environment, natural resources and agriculture ; the commissioner of public health or a designee; the commissioner of environmental protection or a designee; and 5 persons to be appointed by the governor, 1 of whom shall be a representative of the University of Massachusetts, 1 of whom shall be a representative of the Silent Spring Institute, 1 of whom shall be a representative of the Massachusetts Biotechnology Council, 1 of whom shall be a representative of the American Cancer Society, and 1 of whom shall be an oncologist licensed to practice medicine in the Commonwealth.  All appointments shall be made not later than 30 days after the effective date of this act. The chairpersons shall meet with the commission not later than 60 days after the effective date of this act.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon its passage.